By Zambian Emeralds Co - Open Publications Magazine, October 2025
Emerald is the green colored gemstone which have bewitched people for thousands of years. In terms of color, the Emerald belongs to greenish yellow to blueish hue. Gems of this kind are formed in the crust of the earth. Beautiful to look at, but people from all over the world have often attributed magical powers and a connection with the gods to emeralds, thus making this stone an even more fascinating one.
Emeralds’ long story began in the culture of ancient Egypt. It can be argued that the Egyptians were the first emerald adepts because they mined them as early as 1500 BCE. Cleopatra, the queen of Egypt, was known to be extremely fond of emeralds, as they symbolised fertility and rebirth for her. The empress wore emerald jewellery, some pieces also studded with pearls. At one point during her rule, she even claimed to own all of the emerald mines in the country. Egyptian mummies were placed in tombs while wearing an emerald around their neck in order to preserve their youth and enjoy eternal protection.
Emeralds were used to worship Venus, the goddess of beauty and love in ancient Rome. Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder described emeralds as "the only gem that can rest and can relieve the eyes" in his Natural History. Roman emperor Nero used to watch gladiator fights through a large emerald lens, in order to rest his eyes and sharpen his sight.
In ancient India, emeralds were also thought to have specific qualities and to be ruled by Mercury, the planet. The green stone was considered to be a stone of good luck which was able to bring happiness to people and sharpen their intelligence. The Hindus related emeralds to the god Vishnu and the sacred river Ganges. Ancient Hindu scriptures, Vedas, described emeralds as the ‘gem of good luck’ and the ‘stone of successful love’.
Emeralds were also known in the New World. Emeralds were among the most valued possessions for the Inca and Aztec people. The Incas worshiped the emerald stone as holy. They thought that the goddess Umina lived in the stone and emeralds were her daughters. The Aztecs had an emerald goddess, Chalchiuhtlicue, who ruled over water and fertility. Spanish conquistadors were astonished by the amount and quality of emeralds they saw when they first visited the New World. The most developed and richest mines were in Colombia.
In ancient Persian mythology, emeralds were believed to be able to protect their owners from spells and enchantment. Legends said that an emerald amulet, worn by a woman, could help her find out if the oath of her lover was true or false. If he is telling the truth, the stone shines, but if he lies, its luster dims. Emeralds were also thought to have the miraculous power to heal. Ancient doctors recommended them for the treatment of the eyes, the spine and the head. Emeralds were also used to cure cholera, malaria, when they were grinded to a powder and made into medicine. Emeralds were antidotes to poison. Kings and queens drank from emerald goblets in order to protect themselves from poison brought by enemies or usurpers.
Emerald is one of the few gemstones that has almost the same mythological significance regardless of the location or culture. The common traits shared by all ancient civilizations of the world prove that emeralds had a place of reverence among humankind for thousands of years. Of course, science and time have debunked most of the miraculous properties that these green gemstones were once said to have. But still, when we admire an emerald in the showcase of a museum or a piece of jewelry, we take part in the ancient tradition of human attraction to these stones. And we find these particular stones so mesmerizing not only because of their unparalleled beauty, but also because of the countless myths and legends attached to them, many of which are shared by numerous cultures. These are the stories that will never grow old as long as we will still have the desire to believe that there is magic in the world.
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